Lilac Time on Mackinac Island
Ambassadair Trip #8583
Additional Departure Date:
Lilac Time on Mackinac Island | June 11-15, 2023
Overview
Mackinac Island is a place where leisure abounds and transportation is by horse-drawn carriage, bicycle, or your own two legs (the island is car free). And Mackinac Island is at its prettiest when the lilacs are in bloom. 2023 marks the 75th Mackinac Island Lilac Festival, an annual event celebrating the lilacs and their uniqueness and history on Mackinac Island. At the pinnacle of this trip are two nights at the island’s crown jewel, the Grand Hotel, beckoning you to a bygone era of old-world hospitality and charm.
On the way to Mackinac Island stop in Charlevoix to view the unique architecture of Earl Young’s “mushroom” houses, and discover the quaint town of Petoskey.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE
- Mackinac Island during the Lilac Festival
- 2 nights at the elegant Grand Hotel
- Narrated carriage tour of Mackinac Island
- Scenic ferry ride
- See Earl Young’s “mushroom” houses in Charlevoix
- Ample free time to explore quaint towns
PACKAGE INCLUDES
- Roundtrip motorcoach transportation from Indianapolis
- Escorted
- 4 nights accommodations
- Breakfast daily
- 3 dinners
- Sightseeing and admissions per itinerary
- Ground transportation
- Hotel baggage handling
Note: This itinerary includes activities where moderate walking is required.
Itinerary
Mon, June 5: Depart Indianapolis via motorcoach and head north to Petoskey. Check in to your accommodations before a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers and spending an evening enjoying the beautiful lake views. (Meals: Dinner)
Tue, June 6: Today visit Charlevoix for a tour of the town’s most historic locations. See the quirky Earl Young “mushroom” houses, built from 1918 to the 1950s, many of which have undulating stone walls capped by a mushroom-shaped cedar shake roof. Then have the afternoon and evening at your leisure in Petoskey, a resort destination for more than 100 years, overlooking the shores of Little Traverse Bay. Explore the shops, restaurants, parks, and art galleries of the Gaslight District. Visit the historical museum, hunt for Petoskey Stones along the waterfront, or discover Stafford’s Gallery of Art & History featuring antiques, works by Michigan artists, and an exclusive collection of historical photos and artifacts. (B)
Wed, June 7: After breakfast at the hotel, board the motorcoach bound for Mackinac Island. Drive across the “Mighty Mac” bridge and then cross the strait by ferry from St. Ignace. On the island, the ferry dock location places you in the center of town to have free time for lunch and exploring. Enjoy a narrated carriage tour of the island. Then transfer by horse-drawn carriage to the fabulous Grand Hotel and check in for the next two nights. A National Historic Landmark, the hotel has been visited by U.S. Presidents, world-renowned entertainers, and countless dignitaries. No two guestrooms are alike and each reflects the impressive style of old-fashioned American summer resorts as interpreted by New York designer Carleton Varney. Dress up for dinner this evening in the Main Dining Room. Afterward, enjoy live music and dancing. (B,D)
Thu, June 8: Following breakfast in the Main Dining Room, enjoy a free day on the island. Return to the hotel for time on your own. Enjoy Lilac Time! Rent a bike; take a stroll along main street and see all the shops, restaurants, and pubs; visit Fort Mackinac; hike through the woodlands or do some birdwatching; explore Arch Rock; or surround yourself with the grace and beauty of butterflies and tropical gardens in the Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House. Or, stay at the Grand Hotel and enjoy high tea; swim in the 220 foot, heated pool; try your hand at tennis or pickleball; or enjoy the quintessential summer lawn games of bocce and croquet. Delight in another delicious dinner at your leisure at the Grand Hotel. (B,D)
Fri, June 9: After a leisurely breakfast at the resort depart for Indianapolis. (B)
Hotels
Stafford’s Perry Hotel, Petoskey, Michigan. Perched high on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, the Perry Hotel stands as a proud symbol of the early 1900s when northern Michigan tourism was in its infancy. Built in 1899 as one of some twenty original luxury resort hotels, the hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Highlights: individually appointed guest rooms • complimentary Wi-Fi • fitness room • Jacuzzi • 3 restaurants • pub • gift shop.
Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan. A classic American resort by anyone’s standards, the Grand Hotel has been named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as “One of a Dozen Distinctive Destinations” and a National Historic Landmark. Watch the sunsets over the lake from the world’s longest porch (600 feet). Highlights: each room is uniquely decorated • in-room coffee maker and mini bar • 5 restaurants • 5 bars • tea room • spa • 18-hole golf course • Esther Williams Swimming Pool (heated, outdoor) • fitness center • 4 tennis courts • duck pin bowling alley • live music, including the Grand Hotel orchestra • horseback riding on bridle paths • family games, including bocce ball, croquet, putt-putt golf and a giant outdoor chess board • bicycles for rent • no tipping policy (fees apply for some activities). (Casual resort wear is appropriate during the day at the hotel, just avoid midriff tops, sweatpants, or cut-off shorts along with no sleeveless shirts for the men in all areas inside the hotel with the exception of the Cupola Bar. Because every night is special, after 6:30pm, a coat and tie are required for the gentlemen — no jeans or shorts, and for the ladies, dress slacks, dresses, or skirts and blouses are preferred.)
Pricing
- Complete Package*
- Double (2 people sharing a room) – $1,499 per person
- Triple (3 people sharing a room) – $1,299 per person
- Single – $2,329
* Prices subject to change due to fuel surcharge.
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